Saturday, December 31, 2016

I got sucked in for this read you guys! "Cover Me In Darkness" was a total back cover read. You know that feeling- you read the synopsis and then hook, line, and sinker - you have to read the book, like now. I saw the synopsis for this book - hmm, murder mystery meets cult escapee? - um yes, sign me up, please!

Monday, December 26, 2016

"The Bear Report" follows Sophie - who isn't excited to do a report on polar bears. After writing the "bear" minimum ( get it? get it? : ) Sophie goes to the living room to watch tv- where she is surprised to find Olaf, a real life polar bear waiting for her.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Flipping through channels or scrolling through Netflix, few things stop me faster than a documentary or news story about North Korea. I'm not sure when I first became so intrigued by North Korea, but this frightening, mysterious, and fascinating place captures both my attention and imagination. I was immediately intrigued after reading the description for "The Boy Who Escaped Paradise" by Chi J.M. Lee...

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Oh, make a book blog they said. it would be fun they said- and they were right. What they didn't say, of course was - ha, you think you have hundreds of books on your TBR list? hahahahahaha try thousands, now! bahahaha - you'll never be able to read all of them! here's an existential crisis for you! weeeeeeee

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

I feel like "My Girl" has been on my Kindle FOREVER! And even though the book was only actually waiting in reading purgatory for about five months- that's a long time to wait in the Kindle TBR queue to me! So it is with a great sense of accomplishment that I now tell you I have read it, and have some thoughts!

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Schwab, Cline, Paris, Colin, Rowley, and more - 2016 was a great year for discovering new authors!Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week there is a new theme, and this week the theme is new to me authors read for the first time in 2016. I cheated, slightly, a few of the authors below are actually debut authors, so they are new to everyone- yay!

Thursday, December 1, 2016

I laughed, I cried, I gasped - and I feel so incredibly happy and lucky that Gilmore Girls was rebooted this year for Netflix. If you haven't watched A Year in The Life yet or (gasp!) if you haven't watched Gilmore Girls yet, you should definitely give it a shot! My hangover from Gilmore Girls was only nursed because I knew the next week Lauren Graham's new book would arrive on my door step. It did- and I read it in a day! I absolutely *loved* "Talking as Fast as I Can". Here are my top five favorite moments from this hilarious, insightful, and tear jerking memoir of essays!

Friday, November 25, 2016

I am in the thick of a serious Gilmore Girls binge and counting down the days until Thanksgiving - because Black Friday has officially become Gilmore Girls on Netflix Friday! I'm so excited. I hadn't watched the show since it originally aired, and I think I actually missed out on the last two seasons! So, I am dutifully rewatching/binging, and now in an attempt to get all of the Lauren Graham in my life that I can - I recently read her book "Someday, Someday Maybe" and it is one of the best books I've read this year...

Friday, November 18, 2016

I just finished Amy Schumer's book, " Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo". I spent a good chunk of my formative years in Catholic school, so her comedy usually makes me have a permanent blush for an hour - but what can I say, I still love it! I think she is hilarious, and of course found her book to be as well- but I was also surprised by how honest and heartfelt it was as well! Here are five things I loved about her book, and I think you will, too!

Friday, November 11, 2016

God bless you HGTV for bringing the amazingness that is Chip and Joanna Gaines to my living room each week. As someone who frequently feels like the opposite of creative - hey, whats the word for that? is there a word for that, or is no one who is creative enough to think of a word for that, that word - and so there is no word for "uncreative",that seems fitting.

After reading "The Magnolia Story", I am inspired by not only the Gaines's creative passion but also their work ethic, faith, and their love for each and for their family... the list goes on. Really, I thought I loved these crazy kids, but after reading "The Magnolia Story" I'm head over heels.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

This girl's TBR is absolutely out of control. Most of the time I feel like a kid in the candy store just sticking my arm out onto the shelf getting everything into the cart. Which means I'm not really looking at what I'm adding - most of the time the books I add are impulse adds. So I dug a little deeper, these are all books that I added in the last six months that I am interested in reading, think that I will actually read, and also really, really want to read!

I've included summaries from Amazon.com to give you a taste of the plot, and of course also to try and get you to read it, too!

Monday, November 7, 2016

The title says it all - this book is no joke, over the top, seriously adorable! The author Lori Haskins Houran, and the absolutely adorable illustrations by Sydney Hanson, had me awwing throughout the entire book.

"Next to You" is all about adorable animals, and how much cuter your kiddo is - even cuter than the cutest of wild creatures. The author continually raises the cuteness stakes- from a very cute puppy to an impossibly cute baby bunny. But no matter what adorable animal is thrown the reader's way, the adorable kiddo next to you is still the cutest!

My one year old enjoyed looking at the illustrations and so did I, this book definitely has broad appeal as I could see a wide range of ages appreciating the humor and adorable animals. This book would looks so cute on any book shelf and would make a sweet baby shower gift!

I love how this book captures that total redefinition of cute that happens after you have a little one!

Click the link above to find a copy at your local library or click the image of the book to view it on Amazon.

Friday, November 4, 2016

There are few books I see more often between #bookstagram and blogging, than I see "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern. This book has so much hype - still - and it was published in 2011! That's saying something. And while it always seemed like the universe was working against me in my attempts to read this book, all of a sudden the library stars aligned. I had the library trifecta....

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Living in southern Texas, November is when we finally get to see some fall like weather. I've been watching everyone else on the Internet rock jeans, boots, and sweaters for months - and now it is my turn ( for like a week and then it'll be back to shorts, I'm sure ; ) I've collected four books that I am excited to check out this November!

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

In 1939, the SS St. Louis departed from Germany. Fortunes were spent to obtain the necessary documents and tickets to board the ship and on board were 908 Jewish refugees all hoping to gain entrance to Cuba to avoid religious persecution during World War II. When they were rejected from Cuba, and then Canada and the United States- the ship returned to Europe and their freedom was denied. " The German Girl" by Armando Lucas Correa follows the story of Hannah Rosenthal who boarded the SS St. Louis with her family. I just finished reading "The German Girl", read below for my thoughts on the book!

"Oh, I will always remember that moment when, even with the universe spackled above us, bright with an infinity of stars and dark with infinite space, it was impossible for me to believe that Ptolemy wasn't right, that our own Earth, our little tribe, and Eli's hand on my waist were not the center of everything there was." - Into the Forest

I'd never heard of "Into the Forest" until I saw the trailer for the adaptation, but after watching it I knew I had to read the book! After all, that is my ( often broken) book to movie adaptation rule - solid effort must be put into reading the book before watching the movie. It's just good common sense : ) Well, I just finished reading "Into the Forest" and feels - but mostly confusion and a little bit of frustration.

Friday, October 14, 2016

" I realize that we both desperately want to be people we really aren't" - Small Great Things

I just finished reading "Small Great Things" by Jodi Picoult - and I have feelings. To start, I was a little anxious about reading and reviewing this book. Generally, I tend to steer clear of hot button issues in life- and this book, for better or worse, is deeply in the hot button zone. I'm sure there are *many* reasons why I avoid discussing divisive topics, but in part I believe it is because I tend to embrace the grey- so standing firmly on one side of an issue or another doesn't feel like I'm being true to myself. I struggle to "imagine people { and situations } complexly", in the words of John Green. And "Small Great Things" is definitely a great exercise in that!

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week there is a new theme, and this week the theme is books you were recommended to read. Nothing I can think of has had a larger effect on my TBR pile than the ever popular Instagram rabbit hole/time suck that is #bookstagram. Whether it was a beautiful picture, a breath taking quote, an awesome review, or just a collection of a thousand of the same posts all shouting "read me!" - here are ten books I have read because of #bookstagram!

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Top Ten ( or however many I can come up with ; ) Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week there is a new theme, and this week the theme is Villains. I rarely read fantasy, so when I think of villains in what I usually read - contemporary fiction & non fiction - I think of our real life villains...

Friday, September 30, 2016

"He smiled that Frank smile. "Oh, but my treasure, it is so much less exhausting. You only have to forgive once. To resent, you have to do it all day, ever day...we always have a choice. All of us" - The Light Between Oceans"

I just finished reading "The Light Between Oceans" by M.L. Stedman and omgitwassogood. I am so excited to be share this book with you, and my thoughts! I feel like I am the last person on Earth who hasn't read this book - but if you haven't read it, stop reading this review and head to your local library or bookstore and pick up a copy. It is that good! I initially read this book because I was so intrigued by the grey moral decisions that this book explores....

Thursday, September 29, 2016

You see that baby up there. Cutest one in the world? He's mine : ) And while James is a sweetheart, sometimes car rides are a deal breaker for him. What baby enjoys siting in the car for hours at a time? Not this baby, and not this momma. But the day I landed on this tip, it was a total game changer for us!

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week there is a new theme, and this week the theme is Fall TBR. I have a great deal more than ten books on my Fall TBR, but realistically ten is proubably a good goal to have - here we go!

As I began reading "Irena's Children", I instantly thought of the often referenced Fred Rodgers quote:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in
the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will
always find people who are helping.”

"Irena's Children" is the story of a heroic helper, and many other helpers just like her, who rescued nearly 2,500 children from the ghetto of Warsaw. Tilar Mazzeo wrote a beautiful and engaging book that captures the tenacity and heroism not only Irena's story, but also her friend's and helpers, as well as the courageous stories of the many rescued children.

Friday, September 23, 2016

"This Savage Song" has been blowing up #bookstagram for a while, and had a mile long waiting list at my library- so I knew I needed to pick up a copy and give it a shot! Typically, I read contemporary fiction that is written for adults- so "This Savage Song" was definitely outside of my comfort zone and I learned a lot about fantasy storytelling. But did I enjoy the book?

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

"Positive affirmations, when consistently repeated, can wind up sinking into the subconscious mind- thereby affecting a person's sense of self and their behavior"

We all have an internal dialogue- and what we say to ourselves has a huge impact on how we act and how we feel. How many of those daily internal conversations are positive? "Think Happy" by Karen Salmansohn offers the right words to say during a difficult time. These easy phrases are simple to remember and can be used by anyone - yourself, friends, family- including kiddos! Check out some of my favorites below and my thoughts on the book.

Monday, September 12, 2016

" The world in which I now move is a deliberate human perversion of nature's beauty. I cannot forget this. I must accept this. I have accepted this." - The Last One

The Last One by Alexandra Oliva starts as a peek behind the scenes of a new TV show about strangers dropped into the woods. The competitors on the show complete various challenges, unless they decide they can no longer compete - in which case they can say ‘ad tenebras dedi’ or “ I surrender to the dark” and quit the show immediately. The main character of "The Last One", "Zoo" (her nickname on the show because she worked at a zoo) refuses to quit the show no matter how dire her situation. As the reader, you know much more than Zoo does about her own situation. You knows that there is a virus wrecking havoc, you know that the show proubably isn't going on anymore, and that Zoo is in real danger.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

The Nest has been blowing up on #bookstagram for a while, so I thought I should pick it up! This gorgeous book ( seriously the cover and spine are definitely picture worthy) revolves around the Plumb family and their "nest" - a fund their father set up for them many years ago that they have been anxiously waiting to access. So what happens when the long awaited money is used without their consent? Back stabbing, scheming, desperation, and denial- but also healing, forgiveness and growth. Read more to see a full synopsis of the book and my thoughts about the book!

Friday, September 2, 2016

This is one of the *cutest* children's books I have come across since reading books to my son. I absolutely love it and I will definitely be buying a copy for our house. This adorable read is about a sloth, Snuggleford Cuddlebun, who goes to Snoozefest at the Nuzzledome - a sleep festival for animals that love to sleep. As the adult reading, there were so many fun "grown up world" tie-ins to festivals, fashion, and more to enjoy. I loved reading this book to my son for the humor, but also the illustrations were so well done by the illustrator, Kristyna Litten. I really think this one will be a hit for lots of families and I definitely recommend it.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

I decided to start a new series on the blog - Off Topic Thursdays. 99% of what I post on the blog will be book reviews, book talk, book wear...you get the idea. But! On the occasional Thursday, I want to share information that I think is of use to everyone- travel blogs, recipe ideas, product reviews etc. I definitely do not want it to take over the blog, or become the focus - Girl About Library will always be about books. But my husband and I went on a cruise and I really want to share the experience with the Internets!

Packing was *the* biggest part of the cruise prep experience for me. As a SAHM I am CPO ( chief packing officer) for my husband and I. This is by no means a complete list of what we brought but here are ten things that I did and packed that made our cruise a success!

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Carousel Court was dark, twisty, and scary. And it's so funny to me that I have such positive associations with reading this dark and twisty tale of a marriage and family pushed to their limits by the perfect storm of drugs, alcohol, infidelity, and a failing economy. I read most of this book while on my first cruise ever with my husband. We had a blast and really enjoyed our time on the ship - so it was kind of a funny juxtaposition of situations!

Keep reading for a book summary and what I liked and didn't like about this book!

Sunday, August 28, 2016

This is definitely a book I picked up for one reason - BUZZ. This book was all over #bookstagram so I just had to check it out. And like most books that I read because of the buzz, I was disappointed.

Summary from goodreads.com

Northern California,
during the violent end of the 1960s. At the start of summer, a lonely
and thoughtful teenager, Evie Boyd, sees a group of girls in the park,
and is immediately caught by their freedom, their careless dress, their
dangerous aura of abandon. Soon, Evie is in thrall to Suzanne, a
mesmerizing older girl, and is drawn into the circle of a soon-to-be
infamous cult and the man who is its charismatic leader. Hidden in the
hills, their sprawling ranch is eerie and run down, but to Evie, it is
exotic, thrilling, charged—a place where she feels desperate to be
accepted. As she spends more time away from her mother and the rhythms
of her daily life, and as her obsession with Suzanne intensifies, Evie
does not realize she is coming closer and closer to unthinkable
violence, and to that moment in a girl’s life when everything can go
horribly wrong.

What I Liked

It's just all so believable. Cults are of course a very real and very scary part of our past and future, but the path of the main character is pretty accessible- a young girl getting sucked into a terrible situation like the main character, Evie, did is a familiar story. Every step of the way you know Evie is making risky decisions, even she seems to know she is playing with fire- but at the end of the day she is lonely, or confused, or mad and that emotion trumps logic.

I loved the writing style, at parts - read more below. There were a lot of great quotes from the book that have stuck with me. One of my favorites -

“That was our mistake, I think. One of many mistakes. To believe that
boys were acting with a logic that we could someday understand. To
believe that their actions had any meaning beyond thoughtless impulse.
We were like conspiracy theorists, seeing portent and intention in every
detail, wishing desperately that we mattered enough to be the object of
planning and speculation. But they were just boys. Silly and young and
straightforward; they weren't hiding anything.”

I also enjoyed the layout of the story. While the majority of the book is about 14 year old Evie, there are also chapters that follow an older, middle aged Evie. Each story line gave the other context, and I love the way the book played out because of that structure.

What I Didn't Like

Maybeit's the nine years of Catholic school under my chastity belt, I dunno - but this book definitely had an uncomfortable level of sex scenes. Totally a personal preference, but like one or two per a book is my comfort level. So, if that makes you uncomfortable or just isn't your taste - I definitely recommend skipping this one.

The primary reason I did not enjoy The Girls was the writing. There are *many* parts of the book that feel very over written. It wasn't too difficult for me to push past it but it just kept happening! Overall it was frustrating and definitely took away from my enjoyment of the book.

Have you read The Girls yet? What did you think? Let me know below in the comments! Considering reading it? Click the link below to find a copy at your local library.

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Raise your hand if you wish that you were outdoorsy, but are actually the farthest thing from it? I feel like the internet people are my people- and I'm pretty sure many of us feel this way. Hand down- back to interneting - it isn't that I don't want to be outside, it's just not my natural inclination. Being in the outdoors definitely takes some effort- kind of like extroverting. But every now and then I will read a book and it'll make me want to close my computer, or book, lace up my shoes, and at the very least go for a long walk outside. The last book I read, "Braving It" by James Campbell- was definitely one of those for me! I think a reviewer for the Wallstreet Journal did an excellent job describing this feeling when they said--- "One of the reasons we read books like Braving It [is] to experience what we may never have the particular courage to and share the terror and thrills of those who do…."

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Gooseys for days after reading this one! But I really loved it. This is such a scary and unique story. I actually had a really hard time describing it to other people because there are so many important details, but at the same time you don't want to give away too much, so this will definitely be SPOILER FREE!

I hardly ever read scary books, and I had no idea how scared I would be reading this one. Like I was turning on lights, checking door locks scared. Check out the summary below and my likes and dislikes.

Things I Liked

This book is super fast paced. Right from the start you are in their world...and it is terrifying. I feel like with a lot of other suspenseful or psychological thriller type of novels, there is a lot of build up for a twist. That is so not this book- which was awesome.

It is SUSPENSEFUL to the max. I could not put it down! I just had to know what was going to happen. If I had the luxury of reading a book all in one sitting, this would definitely be the one to do it with!

Things I Didn't Like

There wasn't much to not like but at time I did feel like the author worked really hard to fill in the holes. It's easy to be the armchair quarterback in books such as these - oh she could've escaped this way, why didn't she try this, how did she even get herself into this situation etc. And so at points it felt like the author knew people would be saying something like that to themselves and filled that hole but for me it was obvious that that was the intention, and it kind of was distracting.

Overall, this book was an absolute favorite read of the year! The movie rights are apparently with Stone Village - read more here . I am SO rooting for this book to actually become a movie. I loved seeing Gone Girl in the theater and hearing people gasp, and just vicariously enjoying the twists and turns with everyone. It was like getting to watch a crowd full of people experience all of the excitement I felt. So here's hoping the same happens with Behind Closed Doors.

Let me know what you think about the book or if you have any questions below!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.While the book was free, as a girl who is "all about the library" (
where books are always free) - you can be sure that all opinions are
mine!

After finishing Falling by Jane Green ( see rant/review here ) I almost, almost hit the dreaded reading slump.

You know - that slump that comes after reading a book you particularly hated, or really enjoyed, that makes it super hard to pick up the next one.

And then I had the opportunity to read an early release of How To Party With An Infant by Kaui Hart Hemmings.

I was immediately excited to read this book after reading the description. They had me at, she wrote The Descendents. I haven't read the novel version of Descendents yet- but I loved the movie, and after finishing and loving How To Party, I definitely want to circle back and check that one out.

How To Party with an infant was charming, relatable, and a welcome comedic respite in the sometimes terrifying desert that is mommyhood.

Description from goodreads.comThe new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Descendants—a hilarious and charming story about a quirky single mom in San Francisco who tiptoes through the minefields of the “Mommy Wars” and manages to find friendship and love.

When Mele Bart told her boyfriend Bobby she was pregnant with his child, he stunned her with an announcement of his own: he was engaged to someone else.

Fast forward two years, Mele’s daughter is a toddler, and Bobby and his fiancée want Ellie to be the flower girl at their wedding. Mele, who also has agreed to attend the nuptials, knows she can’t continue obsessing about Bobby and his cheese making, Napa-residing, fiancée. She needs something to do. So she answers a questionnaire provided by the San Francisco Mommy Club in elaborate and shocking detail and decides to enter their cookbook writing contest. Even though she joined the group out of desperation, Mele has found her people: Annie, Barrett, Georgia, and Henry (a stay-at-home dad). As the wedding date approaches, Mele uses her friends’ stories to inspire recipes and find comfort, both.

How to Party with an Infant is a hilarious and poignant novel from Kaui Hart Hemmings, who has an uncanny ability to make disastrous romances and tragic circumstances not only relatable and funny, but unforgettable.

What I Liked
I really enjoyed reading this book! It definitely had some LOL moments for me. I have spent my fair share of time on the online mommysphere, playgroups, etc so all of the catty, awkward, and also sometimes super fulfilling moments of interacting with other moms- super relateable. I could relate to each of the situations the characters found themselves in.

The book is a little irreverant, but not overly so. It's all so funny that any time I might have felt like a lined was crossed, I was laughing through it and didn't think twice about it.

This book has a really unique and awesome flow that really sucks you in. The book is from the perspective of Mele, who is a food blogger writing a cookbook. Mele uses the stories her friends tell her to inspire her food blog. So creative and fun. I loved the way the story flowed between Mele's experiences and the hilarious and sad stories her friends told her.

What I Didn't LikeFor the most part, I loved the book but there were two minor things that I disliked.
The love story at the end did feel a teensy bit rushed but I did still enjoy reading it. The other was that the format was a little confusing - but that might be cleared up in the printed version vs the kindle version. I had a hard time telling where in time we were - sometimes Mele is answering questions from the cookbook contest questionnaire, and then the story would flow so seamlessly into something that had happened in the past or future that it was hard to follow at the time. That might be a me problem, reading while taking care of a 9-month-old makes it a teensy bit hard to focus - I feel like Mele would understand ; )
I definitely recommend this book to moms or anyone familiar with the seedy underworld of mommyhood. Click the link below to find a copy at your local library.

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.While the book was free, as a girl who is "all about the library" ( where books are always free) - you can be sure that all opinions are mine!

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

I just finished reading Falling by Jane Green and all I can say is - jeez, louise.

I definitely had a lot of thoughts and feelings while reading this book. I really don't think I have been this frustrated by the ending of a book, possibly ever.Things I Liked:

I don't usually read "women's fiction" or "romance" - and I'm pretty sure this book falls squarely in both of those camps. And while there were many things I disliked, see rant below ; ) I did really like the natural relationship that formed between Emma and Dominic the two main characters. I happily bought in, and it wasn't even hard for me- which is a big deal! Usually it is so easy to pick apart the awkward, stilted way these things seem to come together. Jane Green did an excellent job of creating a relationship that seemed to grow quickly, the way adult relationships sometimes do- without adding too much "fluff". No epic, sweeping ness that made me roll my eyes- it felt very real. Which I appreciated and enjoyed reading for most of the book. Things I Didn't Like:

Unfortunately that is about where the things that I liked about the book ended.

Because I bought in - and then I was betrayed. I was betrayed by what felt like one of the most rushed, bizarre, and terrible endings to a book EVER.

I could not possibly recommend this book to another person because of the "twist" that occurs about 96% percent of the way through the book. This total bomb of a twist had me saying what the hell and slamming the book down..gently...because it was on my kindle, and we are in love.

I just *couldn't even* with the twist and it totally cheapened the whole book for me. You know when someone irritates you and then it's like everything they do is irritating, even the things that wouldn't normally be all that irritating- yeah, even they start bugging you. That is this book for me.

I checked out how it was doing on goodreads after I came to grips with how it ended - and some people are really loving this book! Maybe twists like this are standard fare in her books or this genre. What do I know? But there were also a lot of people who feel like me - which is always nice : )

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.

While the book was free, as a girl who is "all about the library" (
where books are always free) - you can be sure that all opinions are
mine!

Thursday, July 7, 2016

I don’t often cry reading books. There are only a few in recent memory that have even brought me close. I *love* connecting with characters, and I definitely feel sad while reading at times- but for a variety of reasons I can usually keep the actual tears under control. Just thinking about sweet Lily, her octopus, and her quirky owner, Ted Flask, makes me teary, though!

I don't even know where to start with this book - it is just so good you guys!

Synopsis from goodreads.com:

Combining the emotional depth of The Art of Racing in the Rain with the magical spirit of The Life of Pi, Lily and the Octopus is an epic adventure of the heart.
When you sit down with Lily and the Octopus, you will be taken on an unforgettable ride.
The magic of this novel is in the read, and we don’t want to spoil it by giving away too many details.
We can tell you that this is a story about that special someone: the one you trust, the one you can’t live without. For Ted Flask, that someone special is his aging companion Lily, who happens to be a dog. Lily and the Octopus reminds
us how it feels to love fiercely, how difficult it can be to let go,
and how the fight for those we love is the greatest fight of all. Remember the last book you told someone they had to read? Lily and the Octopus is the next one.

What I Liked:
There is just so much to love here! I don’t even know where to start. The beginning! The middle! The end (oh em gee that ending)!

I think first and foremost I absolutely loved the writing. I tabbed the crap out of this book while I was reading, which for me is always a good sign. I love writing down and collecting quotes from books that I have read, and I really find that books with a lot of those takeaway moments are my favorite. There were so many nuggets of wisdom, inspiration, and just general life truth in this novel. Loved it.

I love that this book is sad but also incredibly hopeful. I was really concerned for Ted while reading initially, and I think most readers will be as well. He strikes me like such a great guy, and I immediately connected with him and wanted the best for him. Ted also seems lonely - really lonely. The kind of lonely that talks to and plays with his dog as though he is a real person. I loved the connection he had with Lily, but it also drew my attention to the lack of human interaction he had. As an introvert, I can definitely relate to his homebody-ness and how naturally that gap can be filled by an animal. My absolute favorite part of the book was the idea of another person being able to fill the gap left by an animal, or anyone who passes. Such a hopeful message about recovering from loss.

This book was *such* a great debut novel from an awesome author. I can’t wait to read more from Rowley!

What I Didn’t Like :

I got a little frustrated with the main character at times. For one, Lily's tumor being called "octopus", when you know he knows it is a tumor and everyone else does too just crossed out of endearing territory. Ultimately though, that was- I'm sure- purposeful, but as a reader I definitely struggled with it.

Loved this book though and I highly recommend it! Definitely one of my favorite reads so far in 2016!